Source: 123rf
If you think that Bruges is a little gem of a city, you can't even imagine how much you will like it Ghent. Canals, boats, medieval buildings, alleys, squares and many bicycles racing here and there. Everything you see in Bruges is also here. But much bigger.
This doesn't mean that it isn't a picturesque town, with delightful corners to immortalize with your smartphone and post on social media. On the contrary. There are many more.
Among the unmissable places in Ghent is the walk along the Graslei, the bank that runs alongside the picturesque canal in the city centre: here you can admire the bridges, castles and medieval buildings.
During the day, at sunset and even in the evening, tourists and young locals usually sit on the steps or at the tables of the bars to admire the landscape, made up of colorful houses overlooking the water which, as the sun goes down, they light up with that characteristic dim light of the street lamps which transforms everything into a medieval-looking place.
Ghent is larger than Bruges, but not very large and can be easily explored on foot or by bicycle. But it is absolutely not to be missed a boat tour, free for one hour with the CityCard, which is worth getting to access the main monuments and museums, rent a bicycle and get on public transport for free.
From the boat you can admire the most hidden corners and the least visited buildings from a different point of view. The view of Gravensteen, the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, which seems to rise from the waters and suddenly appears around a bend.
Don't miss a visit to the Gothic cathedral of Saint Bavo. In addition to being a beautiful building, it houses the masterpiece of the Van Eyck brothers, the "Polyptych of the Mystic Lamb" which has just been restored and which can also be admired online on the "Closer to Van Eyck" website. This one-of-a-kind work, also known as the "Gent Polyptych", of large dimensions, is considered one of the greatest artistic treasures in the world. 2020 is the year dedicated to Van Eyck and the MSK Museum in Ghent will host, from 1 February to 30 April, the largest exhibition dedicated to the Flemish artist, âVan Eyck â An optical revolutionâ, with over one hundred works from Worldwide.
UNESCO has included all the bell towers (Belfort) of Flanders, Wallonia and Northern France on the list of World Heritage Sites. Since the Middle Ages, in fact, towers have been a symbol of power, authority and wealth of cities. Among these there is also that of Ghent, where it is worth climbing despite hundreds of steps to enjoy the splendid panorama.
Unlike Bruges, Ghent also has a modern and contemporary side. It is impossible not to notice the Boekentoren, an architectural monument that is part of the university and which houses three million books.
Source: Wikimedia Commons - @Davidh820
O The Krook, a jewel of modern architecture, which has nothing of the classic appearance of a public library. And, finally, among the cobbled alleys of the historic center lies one of the most Instagrammed corners of the city. This is Werregaren Straat better known as Graffiti Street Je, the graffiti alley, a very colorful and very fun side street.
Ghent is the perfect destination for a weekend. It can be reached by plane landing at Brussels South Charleroi from where the shuttle buses leave for Ghent or from the airport you take a bus to the train station and in an hour you arrive in the city center. Those flying with Brussels Airlines are entitled to the Hi Belgium Pass, which includes the flight, unlimited travel on trains (including to and from the airport) and free tickets to enter museums including the free visit to the "Polyptych of 'Mystical Lamb'.
